Principal's Message for March 16, 2018

The latest message from Principal David Ortiz

Principal’s Message: David L. Ortiz

Spring Semester: This time of the school year is particularly busy as we are hosting a variety of activities (see Calendar). Please join us as your schedule permits. You will be impressed with our students’ work ethic, perseverance, character, and spirit.

After Spring Break (March 26-30), we will accelerate our effort to prepare for the state tests; California Assessment of Students Progress and Performance (CAASPP) and California Science Test (8th grade only). The testing calendar will be mid-April 24 to mid-May. I will forward testing information via this document through our website, and ParentSquare. If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact our Testing Coordinator, Ms. Nevarez (Assistant Principal, cnevarez@sbunified.org, ext. 3114).

Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP): Santa Barbara Unified School District seeks community input on our three-year Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), a blueprint for the District's overall vision for students, annual goals, and specific actions for excellence. The LCAP addresses eight areas the state has identified as priorities for all students, and must specifically address the needs of English Learners (EL), foster youth, and low-income students.

The questionnaire is available in bothEnglish andSpanish. As part of the cycle of continuous improvement, your feedback will help inform our revision of the LCAP to better serve our students and families. Thank you in advance for your help. For more information, please see theSBUSD LCAP and the California Department of Education'sCalifornia School Dashboard.

3rd Quarter Grades: The end of the 3rd quarter is right around the corner; 3-23-18. There have been many projects in both grades and students have done a great job at managing these large assignments. Encourage your child to keep working hard. We have three more weeks before spring break and this is typically a time when we all start to get tired and let things slip - assignments, grades, behavior, etc. So, let's spur one another on to end this quarter strong! If you have any questions, contact the teacher, counselor, or assistant principal.

Technology:

Students are responsible to bring their devices charged each day to class.

iPads should always be transported with their cases on and keyboards attached to limit damage. Our increased number of damaged iPads has transitioned from a concern to a problem, and will be addressed by the assistant principals.

Disaster Preparedness: The drills we complete each month are a requirement to prepare us for a variety of issues, (i.e., school disturbance, (e.g., active shooter), earthquake, fire, toxic spill). It is essential that the drills are completed with integrity to optimize preparedness. If you have any questions or comments about our plan or practice, please contact Carole Nevarez (Assistant Principal) and/or Wendy Landeros (Health Assistant).

Parent Engagement:

Parent-Teacher-Student Association: (PTSA; meeting 3rd Wednesday, 7:00-8:00, library). Notifications will be via ParentSquare and website. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 11.The parent program (7:30-8:00) will feature TBD.

English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC): The next ELAC meeting will be held on Monday, April 9th from 6-7 pm in the school library.

Lastly, all English Learner students will be administered the new English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) between February 26 and March 23. The ELPAC replaces the CELDT and will continue to measure students’ English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Staff Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: (SSEPAC). The next meeting is Wednesday, May 2. The meetings are from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library. If you have any questions or comments, please contact assistant principal Ms. Jennifer Foster (ext. 3112, jfoster@sbunified.org). The meeting agenda typically includes program, school and district updates as well as a report on the new proposed reading program.

Announcements:

Earbuds and cell phones: They are not allowed between the hours of 8:30 and 2:30 unless permitted during a teacher-approved classroom activity. If a student refuses to comply and/or repeats the behavior, they will incur progressive discipline including notification of their parent/guardian.

After-School Sports: Volleyball and Flag Football (4-9-18 to 5-10-18). Contact program coordinator, Mr. Eric Kaufmann, for further information.

Bright Spots:

Model Project: Congratulations to all participating Social Studies 7 students and teachers, Kurt Bergthold, Beth Lane, and Jose Marquez. Last week, all of the classes presented to their families Tuesday through Thursday evening. On Friday (March 2), the students, volunteer parents, and the teachers celebrated with a delicious lunch, cake, and raffle prizes.

A Walk Through the Middle Ages: Congratulations to all participating Social Studies 7 students and teachers, Kurt Bergthold, Beth Lane, and Jose Marquez. Last week (March 8), all of the classes presented “The Walk” to elementary schools and families/friends. Students, families, and staff also enjoyed a delicious medieval lunch.

SBCEO Science Fair: Congratulations to the participating students in the SBCEO Science Fair and teachers, L’aura Ulvaeus, Scott Love, and Sarah Avers. You are incredible! SBCEO Science Fair Awards 2018

Master Chef Junior: Felix Itier-Bina (7th) was a contestant on this season's Master Chef Junior with Gordon Ramsay. It aired Friday, March 2nd on FOX. Felix is part of the top 40 home cooks that beat out 40,000 kids nationwide.

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The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUnified) prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, immigration status, religious beliefs or customs, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, military status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. SBUnified requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The Governing Board prohibits sexual harassment of district employees and students. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who reports, files a complaint or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment.